BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



OF 



Gen. Charles W. Darling 



UTJCA, N. Y. 



Extract from the 

MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA, 

By Dr. M. M. Bagg. 



r-i 




Atlantic Pijilistop J^Enyrasizn Z°.NY. 



G^yn^^vdu:^a 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



Gen. Charles W. Darling 



UTIO A, N. Y. 




Extract from the 

MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA, 

By Dr. M. M. Bagg. 



In HxGix. 
"Wig. Hist Seo. 






/ 



Gen. Charles W. Darling. 



GrEN. Charles W. Darling was born in New Haven, Conn. His family is of New 
England origin, having intermarried with the families of Pierpont, Noyes, Chann- 
cey, Ely, Davis, and Dana. His great-grandfather, a graduate of Yale, was Hon. 
Thomas Darling, an eminent jurist who resided in New Haven, Conn., and who married 
Abigail Noyes, granddaughter of Rev. James Pierpont, of New Haven. The paternal 
grandfather of Gen. Charles W. was Dr. Samuel Darling, of the same city, a graduate 
of Yale who married Clarinda, daughter of Rev. Richard Ely, of Saybrook, Conn. His 
youngest son, the father of General- Darling, was Rev. Charles Chauncey Darling, who 
was graduated at Yale College and at Princeton Theological Seminary, and having en- 
tered the ministry subsequently made his residence in New York. He married Ade- 
line E., daughter of William Dana, of Boston, and granddaughter of Gen. Robert Davis, 
an officer of artillery in the war of the Revolution. 

The boyhood years of General Darling were devoted largely to study under the 
guidance of a private tutor. After matriculating at the classical and mathematical de- 
partment of the New York University he passed through its regular curriculum, and at 
the end of the course entered as clerk a mercantile house in New York. Several 
years later he became connected as secretary of an incorporated company under the 
presidency of Commodore C. K. Garrison. Shortly afterward he resigned his position 
to accept the presidency of a manufacturing company, with which he was associated 
several years. When he ceased his immediate relations with business he made his first 
trip to Europe to gratify those literary and artistic tastes which his active life had for- 
bidden. Returning from his Continental trip when the question of the possible seces- 
sion of the South from the Federal Union was receiving much public discussion he 
connected himself with the National Guard of New York, and when Hon. Edwin D. 
Morgan was elected governor he was appointed a member of his staff with rank of 
colonel. He also identified himself with political matters and was president of one of 
the Republican organizations of his district. By his decision of character he united 
many discordant elements in the party, subdued the. passions of some, deepened the 
love of country in the hearts of others, and preserved order frequently under difficult 
circumstances. When in the summer of 1863 New York became the scene of riots- 
General Darling was called upon to perform difficult and dangerous duties, and his firm 
stand on that memorable occasion received the most cordial approbation of the military 
as well as the civil authorities. As the following letters have a historical as well as a 
personal signification for the first time they are given publication : 



" Headquarters First* Division N. Y. S. N. G., ) 
New York, July 21, 1863. \ 

''Col. a W. Darling, 

" Colonel : — Having a vacancy on my staff I shall be happy to receive you as a mem- 
ber of my military family as volunteer aide-de-camp, you to retain your rank of colo- 
nel. At the same time I take occasion to express my thanks for your services during 
the late riot. I am, very respectfully, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" Charles W. Sandford, Major- General." 



"New York, August 17, 1863. 
" Col a W. Darling, 

"Colonel; — It ahvays gives me pleasure to do justice to those who are prompt in 
discharging the duty which they owe to their fellow citizens in resisting violence, let 
it come from what source it may. Your gallant and efficient efforts to put down the 
riot in New York, so disgraceful to the city, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of July last, 
entitle you to the thanks of a grateful people. I am, 

'' Very respectfully yours, 

'•John E. Wool, Major- General U. S. A." 



" State of New York, 
"Deft, of the Commissary- General of Ordnance, 
New York, August 22, 1863. 
" Col. C. W. Darling, 

"Colonel: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication 
informing me of j'our instructions to the commanding officer of the Eighth Regiment 
to withdraw his command from the State Arsenal, and to thank you for so doing. Per- 
mit me to express my thanks for the energy displayed during the scenes of disorder that 
occurred in our city in the month of July, and to assure you that we will recall with 
pleasure the names of yourself and fellow officers with whom the occasion brought us in 
close connection, and to whose efforts the State and this Department are much indebted. 

" Veiy respectfully yours, 
" W. R. Farrell, Commissary - General of Ordnance." 



"Mayor's Office, New York, August 24, 1863. 
" Col C. W. Darling, 

" Dear Sir : — Accept my thanks for your energetic and efficient service on the occa- 
sion of the disloyal outbreak in this city on the 13tli, 14th. and 15th of last month. The 
help of the military in subduing the riot was invaluable, and among them I was pleased 
to recognize yourself as prominent for gallantry and good conduct in the performance 
of the duty devolving upon you. It gives me pleasure to find that General Wool, in 
-command of the United States troops called on duty. General Sandford, commanding the 
First Division N. Y. S. N. G., and the Commissary-General of Ordnance have accorded 
to you so much credit foi' the part you took on that occasion. I trust that our city 
may never again undergo a similar trial, but if it should I hope that we may find in the 
hour of need many such as yourself coming forward equally prompt, earnest, and effi- 
cient to perform the patriotic duty of defending government and order against treason 
and anarchy. With high regard, 

" Very truly j'ours, 

" George Opdyke, Mayor." 



Early in 1864 Colonel Darling received the appointment of additional volunteer aid- 
de-camp on the staff' of Maj.-Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, then in command of the Army 
of the James, and was assigned special duties at his temporary headquarters in New 
Yoik. At this time the draft was to be enforced, when it was anticipated that new 
disturbances might occur, threatening the peace of the State. As it was known that 
the authorities had made every preparation, and 16,000 men under arms were afloat in 
the harbor, no attempt was made to resist the enforcement of the law. When Hon. 
Reuben E. Fenton was elected governor of the State of New York in 1865 Colonel 
Darling was recommended for the position of head of one of the military departments. 
His qualifications for the important trust were supported by recommendations from 
Major- G-enerals Butler, Doubleday, and Warren ; Brigadier-Generals Van Vliet, Webb, 
Davies, Morris, Gordon, and Granger; and twenty-one commandants of regiments and 
batteries in the field. A large number of influential politicians also joined in the request, 
among whom were the mayor of New York, the collector and surveyor of the port, the 
postmaster, the chairman of the Union Central Committee, and several members of 
Congress. This powerful influence thus brought to bear upon the administration had 
its effect and Colonel Darling, in view of his past business training and his reputation 
for order and integrity, was assigned to duty in the paymaster-general's department, 
which at this critical period was of the first importance. As many of the soldiers were 
being mustered out through the expiration of their terms of enlistment no little watch- 
fulness and executive ability were required to protect the interests of the brave defend- 
ers of their country as well as those of the.government. Nearly every New York reg- 
iment had unsettled accounts with the Federal and State governments, and many 
unprincipled claim agents were following the soldiers like sleuth hounds. The pressure 
to which the occupant of this responsible office was subjected at this period is well 
illustrated by the following brief quotation from one of the New York daily papers : 

"The number of claimants at the office of Colonel Darling averages about 200 daily. 
He is beset with land-sharks, bounty-brokers, middlemen, etc., who are trying all sorts 
of ways to grab a portion of the money Ijeing disbursed, but the colonel" thwarts all 
their contrivances in the shape of off"ered presents, commissions, percentage, etc., and 
will manage affairs so that every man who is justly entitled to pay shall receive the 
same without drawbacks or deductions." 

The drafted men in the city Avho furnished substitutes and Avho were reimbursed by 
the State were also notified to file their claims at this office, where they were examined 
and passed over to the supervisors at New York for final adjustment. The vouchers 
were sent by the supervisors to the paymaster-general at Albany and the funds were 
transmitted from headquarters for payment to individuals. At the Union State Con- 
vention of the Republican party held in Syracuse, September, 1860, among the dele- 
gates from the city of New York was General Darling. When the roll of delegates 
was called it was claimed that the delegates sent from the Seventh Assembly District 
represented the conservative element and were hostile to the radicals who called the 
convention. It caused some excitement; a recess was called, and during this recess 
General Darling with wise diplomacy reconciled opposing factions by resigning his seat 
in favor of Sinclair Tousey upon condition that his two associates should compose with 
him the delegation. This arrangement was acceptable to the convention and the re- 

5 



nomination of Governor Fenton was thus secured beyond a doubt and made unanimou s 
Had this course not been adopted it has been gravely doubted whether Governor Fen- 
ton would have been elected for a second term. In 1866 Colonel Darling was commis- 
sioned as commissary-general of subsistence, which brought him into still closer rela- 
tions with Governor Fenton as a member of his military cabinet. This office he held 
until January 1, 1867, when, on the re-election of the governor, General Darling received 
the appointment of military engineer-in-chief of the State of New York with the rank 
of brigadier-general. When the administration of Governor Fenton was nearing its 
close General Darling applied for and obtained leave of absence to visit Europe again on 
a tour of instruction and pleasure. 

While in England he received many courtesies; among the various invitations ex- 
tended to him was one from Lord Elcho to meet the Prince of Wales and the Duke of 
Cambridge, and be present with them on a review of troops at Aldersholt. In a sub- 
sequent trip abroad with his wife he traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, and 
Africa, making the trip up the Nile, through Ethiopia and Nubia, as far as the river is 
navigable. During this time many articles from his pen appeared in our journals of a 
historical and political as well as of a social character. Having means at his command, 
which renders him independent of business cares, General Darling has lieen able to 
gratify to the utmost his literary and scientific tastes. Ten years of his life have been 
devoted to foreign travel in nearly every country on the globe, and from this broad ex- 
perience he has returned with a knowledge of national manners and customs and a 
fund of general information which has been of great value in his writings. Intensely 
fond of historical studies he has prosecuted his investigations in this department of 
learning with unusual diligence and with excellent results. His writings cover a wide 
range of themes, which he handles with skill, and in a way to interest both the special- 
ist and the general reader. His high character, scholarly attainments, and distinguished 
public services have given him a large acquaintance with many of the public men of 
the day and earned for him many scientific and literary honors. 

His active interest in public affairs and his prominent connection with some of the 
most stirring events happening in his time have necessarily made him to a certain ex- 
tent a conspicuous figure among his fellow citizens, by whom he is held in universal 
esteem. Notwithstanding the fact that he has persistently held aloof from politics, 
preferring the more congenial pursuits of literature and historical research, he has sev- 
eral times been asked to become a candidate for municipal positions, but while ap- 
preciating the honor he has declined all political preferment. His work is performed 
quietly among his books, from which he feels that nothing save the gravest condition of 
public affairs can separate him. For several years he held the office of president of the 
Young Men's Christian Association of Utica, his present adopted home, and he is now one 
of its directors. Those who are familiar with the past struggles of that association for 
life concede that he carried it through the most critical period of its history. As a re- 
sult of those arduous undertakings an elegant structure has been erected for the Utica 
Young Men's Christian Association by its friends, and the building is considered one of 
the most conspicuous ornaments of the city. General Darling was also a member of 
the State Executive Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations and on the ex- 
piration of his term of office in 1888 he was elected one of its trustees. His interest in 

6 



religious matters, however, is not conaned to affairs connected with this department o 
Christian work. He is a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Utica, and in 
the private life to Avhich he has retired he is the object of the warm regard of a large circle 
of friends. Through his connection with the Oneida Historical Society he has culti- 
vated his taste for historical studies and his literary productions are numerous. He 
never writes for pecuniary compensation, and the monographs, brochures, essays, ex- 
cerpta, etc., which he frequently sends out are printed for private distribution. 

On the 21st of December, 1857, General Darling married Angeline E., second daugh- 
ter of Jacob A. Robertson, a wealthy and highly respected citizen of New York. His 
father was Archibald Robertson, the Scotch artist Avho painted from life the celebrated 
miniatures on ivory of General and Martha Washington, during the time when he was 
sojourning as a guest in the family of the " First President.'" His brothers were An- 
drew J., Alexander H. (who at the time of his decease was grand master of the Grand 
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York), and Anthony L., sur- 
rogate of New York in 1848 and chief justice of the Superior Court in 1860-69. A sister 
of these brothers married Henry Winslow, founder of the banking house bearing his 
name. Another sister married Robert N. Tinson, of England and well known as a 
resident of New York city. General Darling has no children to inherit the honor of a 
good name, but his fondness for the little ones makes him always a favorite with them. 

In 1891 he was elected president of the Uplands Park Improvement Company, of Pu- 
eblo, Col, and when this company merged its interests in the South Side Land Syndi- 
cate Company, of the same place, he became its president. This organization has a 
capital paid in of $518,000 ; it was incorporated under the laws of Colorado and its 
home office is in Denver. W. H. Chamberlin, of the Chamberlin Investment Company, 
is associated with him as first vice-president and A. W. Chamberlin, of the same com- 
pany, is treasurer. With such strong influence as this company can command it bids 
fair to become an important factor in building up the young city of Pueblo, which is 
already becoming a formidable rival of Denver, 150 miles distant. General Darling has 
also recently been selected as a member of the advisory council of the World's Con- 
gress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition on historical literature. This 
-congress is authorized and supported by the Exposition corporation for the purpose of 
bringing about a series of conventions of the leaders, at home and abroad, in the vari- 
ous departments of human progress during the Exposition season of 1893. It has been 
approved and recognized by the government of the United States, and its general an- 
nouncement has been sent to foreign governments by the Department of State. An 
appropriation on account of its expenses has been made by an act of Congress. 

General Darling is a '' Son of the Revolution " by reason of his being a great-grand- 
son of Gen. Robert Davis, of the artillery under General Washington. He is also 
member of the American Historical Association and of the New York Genealogical 
and Biographical Society ; Fellow of the Society of Science, Letters, and Art, Lon- 
don, England, and associate member of the Victoria Institute; honorary member of 
the Chautauqua Society of History and Natural Science, New Yoik ; Waterloo His- 
torical Society, New York ; New Jersey Historical Society, Alabama Historical Society, 
Mississippi Historical Society, Iowa Historical Society, and Alaska Historical Society ; 
and corresponding member of the American Ethnological Society, Academy of Anthro- 



pology, American Numismatic and Archgeological Society, Buffalo Historical Society, 
and the Cayuga County Historical Society, all of New York. In the State of Maine- 
he is in the same manner connected with the Bangor Historical Society ; in New Hamp- 
shire with the Historical Society of Concord ; in Vermont with the Middlebury 
Historical Society ; in Massachusetts with the New England Historic-Genealogical So- 
ciety, the Dedham Historical Society, the Old Colony Historical Society, and the Ips- 
wich Historical Society ; in Rhode Island with the Newport Historical Society ; in. 
Connecticut with the Connecticut Historical Society, the New Haven Colony Histor- 
ical Society, the Fairfield County Historical Society, and the Saugatuck Historical So- 
ciety ; in Ohio with the State Arcln^ological and Historical Society and the Western 
Reserve Historical Society ; in Pennsylvania with the Numismatic and Antiquarian So- 
ciety, the Linnean Historical and Scientific Society, and the Wyoming Geological and 
Historical Society ; in New Jersey with the Burlington County Lyceum of History and 
Natural Science; in North Carolina with the Historical Society of Chapel Hill ; in In- 
diana with the Geological and Historical Society at Indianapolis; in Maryland with the 
Historical Society of Baltimore; in Virginia with the Historical Society at Richmond; 
in Georgia with the Historical Society at Savannah; in Tennessee with the Historical 
Society at Nashville; in Wisconsin with the Historical Society at Madison; in Minne- 
sota with the Historical Society of St. Paul ; in Kansas with the Historical Society at 
Topeka; in Nebraska with the Historical Society at Lincoln; in California with the 
Historical Society at San Francisco and Los Angeles; and in Canada with the Quebec 
Historical Society. He is a life member of the Oneida Historical Society at Utica,_ 
N. Y., and its corresponding secretary. 




LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 




